All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick has joined Warren Gatland in dismissing any
suggestion that England and Wales' black change kit is in anyway offensive
to New Zealand supporters.

"I can't see any problem at all," Fitzpatrick said. "The All Blacks have worn white in the past, always when we play Scotland because of the clash of colours. That wasn't being disrespectful to England. In fact the white All Blacks shirts became real collectors items for us players because they didn't come around very often."

Gatland, Fitzpatrick's deputy on a number of All Blacks tours, believes Wales and England taking black change kits to the World Cup next month is a mark of respect towards host nation New Zealand.

Wales also have a black change jersey for the World Cup campaign - albeit it with red panels on each side - and New Zealander Gatland believes it should be viewed in a positive fashion.

"A lot of people are making issues out of having a black kit, but we have had a black away kit in the past," said Gatland.

"In professional sport there are commercial implications in kits, and I see going to New Zealand with a black kit as a sign of respect to the All Blacks. We all know how important the black kit has been to New Zealand and how significant it has been in rugby and other sports.